Room for Rent

Very quickly, Lauren got into a routine. She went to class, clinical, and then came home to study. Somewhere in there she managed to find time to shower and eat. It was on one lazy Saturday that Gaye came down to check in on Lauren. After Lauren had moved in, Gaye quickly took on a motherly role. She missed having her own kids in the house so it was nice to have someone around who could still use that nurturing attitude. Softly knocking on the bedroom door, Gaye pushed the door open.
“Hey sweetie. Just wanted to check in and see how you were settling in.”
Lauren looked up from her books and sighed.
“Honestly? I’m exhausted. Between long shifts at the hospital and the amount of time I spend studying, I have no time to be a regular person. I’m 23 years old and I don’t have any friends my age because I can’t make time for them!”
Gaye sat next to Lauren on the bed and rubbed her back. She felt for the girl, she really did. Lauren spent so much time learning how to help other people that she wasn’t able to take time and help herself.
“God forbid I meet a nice guy because I certainly wouldn’t have time for him,” Lauren sighed as her thoughts turned to Jamie.
“Listen. You’ve been cooped up in this room for too long. Why not take a break? You can go run an errand for me.”
Looking down at the pile of books on her bed, Lauren knew she didn’t really have time for this but maybe a change of scenery would help her get her head back in study mode. Maybe some fresh air and sunlight would do her some good. So, Lauren agreed to run whatever errand it was the Gaye needed. Gaye told her to freshen up and then meet her upstairs when she was ready. Before slipping out of the room Gaye mentioned with a smile, “You know it’s a funny thing. Sometimes when you do your hair and put on a little bit of makeup and you know you look good…well it can totally change your day.”
Lauren did just that. She took the time to fix her hair; putting small waves in it with her curling iron. She put on some light makeup and took the time to pull together some cute and casual clothes. Looking in the mirror, she couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes she couldn’t help but think that Gaye was a fairy godmother in another life. Lauren came upstairs with a new spring in her step. Gaye was waiting in the kitchen with a brown paper bag and a bottle of water.
“Lindy has gotten in the habit of leaving the lunches I pack for him at home and opting for less healthy options. His health is at stake here and he wont’ listen to me or the doctors. Maybe he will listen to you.”
Lauren took the bag from Gaye and got in her car. Setting her GPS for the arena, her thoughts again turned to Jamie. She wondered if she might see him today. She certainly looked and smelled better than she had the last time they had been together. Her thoughts drifted towards their moment in the kitchen and the lingering hug goodbye as she started her car and headed out.

Notes

Chapter 6!! I know it short but I just finished writing Chapter 7 as well and it is way longer. It contains some much needed and oh so awkward Jamie and Lauren moments :) Let me know what you think!